As a beauty writer, I've tried my fair share of skin devices—from microcurrent to LED face masks and beyond. And while I love a high-tech device just as much as the next person, I find myself reaching for a rather low-tech option more often than not. I'm talking about at-home cryotherapy tools (or cryo tools for short).
Cryo tools are used to cool down the temperature of the skin, which might sound simple (even unnecessary) but they offer real benefits. I, for one, use them to de-puff my face after a late night (or a bad case of seasonal allergies) and to bring a fresh-faced glow back to my stubbornly dull skin. I also use them to quickly cool my skin after being out in the summer heat, which can help prevent dark spots and rosacea flare-ups. (Did you know that high temps can trigger melanin production and inflammation?) Ahead, see the 10 best cryo tools to help sculpt, de-puff, and refresh your skin. Plus, learn all about the benefits of cryo tools from Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, a Miami-based board-certified derm with over 40 years of experience and the founder of Dr. Loretta skincare. Let's go!
The Best Cryotherapy Tools, At a Glance
- Best Cryo Mask: Shark Beauty Cryoglow Under-Eye Cooling + LED Mask
- Best Cryo Wand: Therabody Theraface Depuffing Wand
- Best Ice Globes: Angela Caglia Gold Cryo Facial Set
- Best Ice Roller: Skin Gym Icecool Roller
- Best Face and Body Tool: Nurse Jamie Super-Cryo Massaging Orb
The Best Cryotherapy Tools
Best Cryo Mask: Shark Beauty Cryoglow Under-Eye Cooling + LED Mask
This is one of my favorite at-home cryo tools. It's, first and foremost, an LED mask, providing red, blue, and deep-infrared light with interlocking tri-wick LEDs. (For the uninitiated, LED masks can kill acne-causing bacteria, boost collagen, reduce inflammation, and more.) However, it also provides cryo benefits, thanks to under-eye attachments that cool the skin, visibly tighten the eye area, and target under-eye bags and dark circles. You can choose between three temperature settings and four treatments for a bespoke experience.
Best Cryo Wand: Therabody Theraface Depuffing Wand
Here's another editor-approved cryo tool. Technically, it's both a hot and cold facial device, and you can use it interchangeably to reduce skin puffiness, improve radiance, and boost skin elasticity. It's so easy to toss in a carry-on or checked bag, which is why multiple Who What Wear beauty editors consider it an SOS skin tool for curing puffy, jet-lagged skin.
Read my colleague, Sabrina Talbert's, full, in-depth review.
Best Ice Globes: Angela Caglia Gold Cryo Facial Set
I've been using Angela Caglia's Gold Cryo Facial Set for years. It includes two gold-plated, gel-filled wands that deliver extreme cold to the skin and subsequently refresh the complexion, minimize the appearance of pores, and deflate puffiness. Use them for up to five minutes in the morning or evening on clean skin, with a serum or sheet mask to facilitate glide. Store them in the fridge or freezer (I prefer the latter) between uses. They feel so luxe and heavy in my hand, which makes a five-minute at-home cryo treatment feel like a high-end spa experience.
Best Ice Roller: Stacked Skincare Cryo Sculpting Ice Roller
I've had more than one celebrity esthetician recommend this cryo tool to me. That's because it has an ergonomic handle and a stainless steel, egg-shaped barrel that's custom-engineered to 1) encourage lymphatic drainage and, 2) stay colder for longer. The silicone cap is the cherry on top; it helps keep the barrel clean for the most hygienic experience.
Best Face and Body Tool: Nurse Jamie Super-Cryo Massaging Orb
Nurse Jamie's Super-Cryo Massaging Orb is a face and body tool that can be used both cool or warm (I bet you know which one I prefer). It promotes localized circulation to improve the appearance of the skin, facilitate lymphatic drainage, and release muscle tension.
To use it cool, unscrew the twist-off ring from the base, place the massaging orb in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. Then place the massaging orb back into the base and screw the twist-off ring onto the base securely. To use it warm, place the massaging orb in a warm bowl of water for 30-60 minutes. Use it on clean, dry skin or alongside your favorite moisturizer or beauty oil.
Sio Beauty Cryodrop
I was introduced to this cryo tool from a friend, who said it literally sculpted her face after one use (that's the kind of recommendation that instantly piques my interest). As if that's not enough of a reason to try it, it's also derm-recommended. Yep, Ciraldo counts herself as a fan: "The cold is delivered by medical-grade metal," which makes for a "very straightforward application."
The award-winning design combines cold therapy, facial massage, and diamagnetic technology (it has a magnetic core that propels skincare products deep into the skin for enhanced absorption). Together, these modalities instantly cool, refresh, and lift the skin.
Skin Gym Icecool Roller
This affordable ice roller also has a permanent place in my freezer (for over three years now). I first used it when I lived in Austin, Texas, and I needed to cool my skin down on 100-plus degree days. I even roll it across my neck and chest, since it has a large roller and it's so easy to use.
Jenny Patinkin Cryo Glow Globes
Here's my other trusty set of ice globes. Jenny Patinkin's Cryo Glow Globes temporarily constrict blood vessels, soothe inflammation, promote circulation and oxygenation. and more. The ergonomically shaped globes hug the facial contour and provide a light gliding and rocking motion for improved lymphatic drainage. They're easy to use and have lasted me years (literally).
The Benefits of Cryotherapy
According to Ciraldo, at-home cryotherapy tools offer real benefits. "When we started doing ablative lasers (which produce tremendous heat) we also started to use cold sprays to keep skin cool. The added advantages were found to be lessening skin redness and decreased water loss from the skin surface, resulting In a perceptible boost in skin hydration," she explains. "From this in-office experience, we learned that cold is a therapeutic modality that can be used in-office with liquid nitrogen or at home with instruments that are very cold applied directly to the skin."
Ciraldo cites a 2008 study that found cold therapy can lessen inflammation and increase the skin's own antioxidant activity. The best part? Anyone can achieve these benefits. "Cold devices are very good for most skin types and they can be used to lessen skin puffiness and redness as well as offer an anti-aging approach since cold activates our skin's own antioxidants," Ciraldo says. However, anyone who has a cold sensitivity, such as those with Raynaud's Syndrome, should avoid cryo tools, since they could risk damaging tissue due to the cold exposure.
How We Chose
Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock has a decade of experience testing the latest and greatest beauty products. To find the best cryotherapy tools, she leaned heavily on her expert insight and firsthand testing. She also considered several factors, including design, durability, and price. She's aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so she made sure to include all the helpful details. Lastly, she consulted top dermatologists for their recommendations. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Us
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